Mrs. Thelma M. Gras, 96, of Northway Mobile Home Community, Amsterdam, died Monday (February 7, 2000) at Amsterdam Memorial Hospital. She was born on May 26, 1903 in Seward, Schoharie County, the daughter of Henry and Clara Sexton Eckerson. Mrs. Gras was a graduate of Cobleskill High School. She resided in the Oneonta area most of her life and moved to Amsterdam in 1990. She was active in Elm Park Methodist Church while in Oneonta, where she was an officer in the Loyal Workers Women's Group and a member of the building committee. On Nov. 5, 1924, she married George Gras Sr., who died on Dec. 20, 1967. Survivors include three sons, George Gras Jr. of Utica, Gerald L. Gras of Bennington, Vt. and Donald C. Gras of Amsterdam; three daughters, Shirley Montemurro of Fort Edward, Washington County; Betty J. Robinson of Trumansburg, Tompkins County, and Barbara A. Grimes of Liverpool, Onondaga County; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Private calling hours and a private service will be conducted at the convenience of the family at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam. The Rev. Cal Briggs-Harris, pastor of Amsterdam United Methodist Church, will officiate. Spring burial will take place in Mount Vision Cemetery, Otsego County.

William E. Groshans

Mr. William E. Groshans, 78, formerly of Ephratah, died Monday (February 21, 2000) at the Marchand Manor Home for Adults, Sharon Springs, Schoharie County, after a long illness. He was born on July 6, 1921 in Gloversville, the son of Frank and Emma Smutz Groshans. Mr. Groshans was a graduate of Wheelerville Free Union School, Caroga Lake, and resided in Ephratah most of his life. He previously lived at the former Patricia Ann's Adult Home, Fonda, and had been a resident of Marchand Manor for the past year. He served with the Army during World War II. He was employed for 20 years at Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp., Canajoharie. He later worked for several years in the maintenance department at the former Fulton County Infirmary, Gloversville. He retired several years ago due to a disability. Survivors include his wife, the former Theresa Tuniz, whom he married on Feb. 1, 1948; two daughters, Emma Murphy of Fort Plain and Maria Sweet of Gloversville; five sisters, Emma Jean Kelly and Elizabeth Harnish, both of Gloversville, Evelyn Echos of Brandon, Fla., Marie Schur of Mayfield and Maureen Rumrill of Caroga Lake; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by two brothers, Frank Groshans and Thomas Delehanty; and one sister, Louise Lawrence. Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St., Gloversville. A service will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The Rev. R.W. Williams, chaplain of Mountain Valley Hospice, will officiate. Spring burial will take place in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville.

Sadie Grzywienski

Mrs. Sadie Grzywienski, 90, of Hagaman, died Monday (February 7, 2000) at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam. She was born on Jan. 4, 1910 in town of Florida, the daughter of Kostany and Frances Somak Kowalski. Mrs. Grzywienski attended area schools and was a lifelong area resident. She was employed as a twister at the former Mohawk Carpet Mills, Amsterdam, retiring in 1965. Mrs. Grzywienski was a communicant of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, Hagaman. On June 5, 1938, she married Zygmont "Ziggy" Grzywienski, who died on Feb. 9, 1996. She is survived by two sisters, Lottie Stark of Hagaman and Winifred Francisco of the town of Florida; nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam. A service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. At 11 a.m., a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, Hagaman.

Theresa M. Jabonaski

Mrs. Theresa M. Jabonaski, 77, of Guilderland, mother of a Sprakers resident, died Wednesday (February 9, 2000) at St. Clare's Hospital, Schenectady. She was born in Albany and was a lifelong area resident. Mrs. Jabonaski was a communicant of St. Madeleine-Sophie Church, Schenectady, and a member of its Faith Sharing Group and Christ Child Society. Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Peter Jabonaski; two sons, William Jabonaski of Sprakers and Peter Jabonaski of Lincoln Center, Mass.; two daughters, Joyce Jabonaski of Albany and Karen Mayfield of Long Beach, Calif.; one sister, Angie Cerone of Albany; and four grandchildren. Calling hours will be 7 to 9 p.m. today at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 5216 Western Turnpike, Guilderland. A service will be conducted at 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. At 11:30 a.m., a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Madeline-Sophie Church, 3500 Carmen Road, Schenectady. Burial will take place in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.

Wanda Clara Kowalski Jablonski

Mrs. Wanda Clara Kowalski Jablonski, 77, of Amsterdam, died Friday evening (February 18, 2000) at Amsterdam Memorial Hospital after being stricken at home. She was born May 22,1922, in the town of Florida, the daughter of Marian and Mary Jankowski Kowalski. She was employed for several years by the General Electric Co. in Schenectady. She was also a homemaker. Mrs Jablonski was a member of St. Stanislaus Church. She was also a former member of the AMVETS Auxiliary of Fort Hunter. She married Alexander Jablonski on Jan. 27,1946. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Dennis Jablonski, Las Vegas, Nev., and David Jablonski, Amsterdam; one daughter, Denise Quist of Minaville; two brothers, Henry and Boleslaw Kowalski, both of Minaville; two sisters, Regina Lomnicki and Isabelle Sasowski, both of Minaville; eight grandchildren, three step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Monday at the Jendrzejczak Funeral Home, 200 Church St., Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

Gladys Eastham
January 8, 2001

Mrs. Gladys Eastham, 88, of Johnstown, died Saturday at home after a long illness. She was born on Dec. 23, 1912 in the town of Johnstown, the daughter of Ira D. and Myrtle Miller Vedder. Mrs. Eastham was a 1931 graduate of Johnstown High School; attended Pratt Institute, and was a 1937 graduate of the former Buffalo State Teachers College. She lived Camden, Oneida County, from 1946 until she moved to Johnstown in 1996. She was employed as a teacher in Camden until she retired. Mrs. Eastham was a member of Camden United Methodist Church; Lake Delta Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; Camden Grange and Pomona Grange of Oneida County; and a charter member and a 50-year member of the Johnstown Women of the Moose. She served as treasurer of the Camden Cemetery Association and the Camden Grange. She is survived by one brother, Richard Vedder of Johnstown; one aunt, nieces and nephews. On Jan. 26, 1946, she married Milton E. Eastham, who died on Feb. 26, 1965. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at A.G. Cole Funeral Home, 215 E. Main St., Johnstown. The Rev. R.W. Williams, chaplain of Mountain Valley Hospice, will officiate. Cremation will take place at Vale Crematory, Schenectady.

Vincenza Mary Menditto

January 8, 2001
Mrs. Vincenza Mary Menditto, 77, of Troy, a native of Amsterdam, died today at home. She was born in Amsterdam, the daughter of Ralph and Eva Mancini Pepe. Mrs. Menditto was a 1941 graduate of Amsterdam High School and a 1945 graduate of New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass. She was a private instructor of voice and piano in Amsterdam from 1945 to 1954. She was also the manager of Eva's Bridal Shop, Fonda, a family-owned business, from 1954 to 1969. She last worked as a kindergarten and music teacher at St. Mary's School, Gloversville, from 1970 to 1972. Survivors include two sons, Marcus A. Menditto of New Braunfels, Texas and Joseph R. Menditto of Troy; two daughters, Concetta "Connie" Cutler of Clifton Park and Eva Adrienne Anderson of Saratoga Springs; one sister, Dolores Corsini of Conyers, Ga.; three brothers, Salvatore Pepe of Amsterdam, Alfonzo Pepe of Springdale, Ark. and Ralph Pepe Jr. of Hollywood, Fla.; eight grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Prof. Joseph Menditto, who died on May 23, 1995. Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Road, Latham. A service will be conducted at 8:45 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. At 9:30 a.m., a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 196 Third St., Troy. The Rev. Harry Donaghy will be celebrant.